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Ho Chi Minh and the creation of the Viet Minh
Ho Chi Minh created the Viet Minh to rebel against France and Japan controlled Vietnam. -
The first Indochina war
Conflict between France and Viet Manh from 1946 to 1954. it was supposed to be the war of independence for Vietnam initially. -
America Aids France
The USA provided financial support military supplies and advisors in the first Indochina war to help France. -
Domino Theory
Belief that if one country falls to communism all the countries around would also. This caused some people to want the war to stop the spread of communism. -
The Geneva Accords
Agreement dividing Vietnam at the 17th parallel between Vietnam Laos and Cambodia. -
use of Agent Orange
Used to clear the vegetation in Vietnam because the Vietnamese were hiding in the trees and ambushing the USA troops. -
Diem Assassination
Diem was killed so someone else could lead the country and he originally escaped but was captured again the next day. -
The gulf of tonkin incident
Multiple US destroyers reported being attacked by North Vietnam troops which escalated the US involvement in the Vietnam war. It was the final thing that ended up getting the US in the war. -
The tet offensive
Surprise attack by the Vietcong and North Vietnam against South Vietnam and USA. It was a very effective attack against the USA and South Vietnam. -
My lai massacre
Us troops illegally killing unarmed civilians in the son my village. It is considered a war crime. It made the North Vietnamese very upset. -
Vietnamization
US foreign policy of Richard Nixon involving the US North Vietnam and South Vietnam where the US gradually pull their troops out over time letting the South Vietnam military take more control in the war. -
War Powers Act
Nixon made it so the president could commit the USA to conflict without Congress approval. It effects any countries that aren't on good terms with the USA and the citizens of the USA. It increased tensions because at any moment if Nixon wanted to he could send troops to attack any country. -
The Fall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon was important because it was the capital of South Vietnam and it falling to North Vietnam was bad. The nation that the USA supported was losing the war and got their capital taken over which raised tensions as the USA needed to make their move to take the advantage.